NameCensus.

UK surname

Dossa

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "sleep" or "to sleep".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wellingborough, Barnet and Ealing.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dossa is 109 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

104

2016, ranked #30,317

Peak year

2013

109 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016, ranked #30,317.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Dossa surname distribution map

The map shows where the Dossa surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Dossa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dossa over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 1 #33,412
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 64 #31,233
1998 modern 71 #30,869
1999 modern 85 #29,578
2000 modern 79 #30,249
2001 modern 72 #30,813
2002 modern 67 #31,723
2003 modern 66 #31,879
2004 modern 70 #31,681
2005 modern 73 #31,616
2006 modern 80 #31,149
2007 modern 80 #31,527
2008 modern 81 #31,713
2009 modern 94 #30,538
2010 modern 102 #29,930
2011 modern 97 #30,552
2012 modern 103 #29,733
2013 modern 109 #29,209
2014 modern 104 #30,365
2015 modern 102 #30,624
2016 modern 104 #30,317

Geography

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Where Dossas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wellingborough, Barnet, Ealing, Hillingdon and Croydon. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wellingborough 004 Wellingborough
2 Barnet 007 Barnet
3 Ealing 032 Ealing
4 Hillingdon 001 Hillingdon
5 Croydon 037 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dossa

These lists show first names that appear often with the Dossa surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dossa

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dossa, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Dossa surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Dossa household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Dossa is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dossa is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dossa falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dossa is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Dossa, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dossa

The surname DOSSA has its origins in India, specifically in the western state of Gujarat. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century.

The name DOSSA is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "dursha," which means "difficult to see" or "elusive." This could suggest that the earliest bearers of this name may have been skilled archers, hunters, or warriors known for their stealth and elusiveness on the battlefield or in the wilderness.

Some historical records indicate that the name DOSSA was initially associated with certain communities or castes in Gujarat, such as the Rajput warrior clans or the Brahmin priestly class. However, over time, it became more widely adopted across various social strata.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Dossa Bhonsle (c. 1530-1600) was a military commander and chieftain who served under the Maratha emperor Shivaji. He played a significant role in the expansion of the Maratha Empire and is mentioned in several historical accounts of that period.

Another prominent individual with the surname DOSSA was Dosibai Dossa (c. 1650-1720), a revered saint and spiritual leader from Gujarat. She is revered for her devotional poetry and teachings, which focused on promoting harmony and social reform.

During the 19th century, Jamshedji Dossa (1826-1892) was a prominent businessman and philanthropist from the Parsi community in Bombay (now Mumbai). He made significant contributions to education and social welfare initiatives in the city.

In the early 20th century, Sorabji Dossa (1884-1956) was a renowned Indian lawyer and jurist who served as a judge in the Bombay High Court. He was known for his expertise in commercial law and played a crucial role in shaping legal precedents in British India.

Another notable figure with the surname DOSSA was Ardeshir Dossa (1908-1992), a celebrated Indian architect who was instrumental in designing several iconic buildings and landmarks in Mumbai, including the Reserve Bank of India headquarters and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.

While the surname DOSSA has its roots in Gujarat, it has since spread to other parts of India and beyond, carried by individuals and families who have migrated or established themselves in various regions over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Dossa surname: questions and answers

How common is the Dossa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016. That gives Dossa a modern rank of #30,317.

What does the Dossa surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "sleep" or "to sleep".

What does the Dossa map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dossa bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.